Winter Driving Tips from the Experts – Bridgestone’s Blizzak Tire

I was given the amazing opportunity to attend the Bridgestone Winter Driving School
in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, last week. And being from California, I
was very aware that my winter driving skills would be, well, not
skilled. The kind folks at Bridgestone humored my attempts to control a
Toyota Camry driving on ice at faster-than-what-is-safe speeds. (That's
me in the picture above... I am wearing that super cute scarf.)

I drove on the new Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 snow tire. And if I needed
a winter tire where I live – and I don’t – I would buy this one. We did
side-by-side comparisons with the Michelin X-Ice (also a great option
for a winter tire, but from my own experience in the same conditions,
the Blizzak simply outperforms) and all-season tires. “All-Season” does
not mean all seasons I learned. On the first track I drove the Blizzaks
first, so I felt like a rockstar! The track is about a foot thick of
just ice and snow packed hard. So when I drove the all-season stock
tires, I went into a few scary sliiiiiides.

Of
course, I was at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School so they taught
me how to correct those slides. More on how exactly to do that in
another post (check next week!).

Bridgestone Winter Driving
School Director and Pro Race Driver Mark Cox lives and drives through
the winter months in Steamboat Springs. Cox has helped Bridgestone put
together the best strategic winter driving tips to take your vehicle on
its snow-laden drive in the real world to help you and your family
reach your destinations more safely.

Before you drive:• Check
windshield wiper blades to make sure they work properly. In some areas,
snow blades are an effective alternative to conventional wiper blades.• Have your mechanic test the anti-freeze/coolant to provide the correct level of protection required in your driving area.• Make
sure your tires are properly inflated. Letting air out to drive in snow
can reduce the gripping action of tires because the tread will not meet
the road surface as it was designed to do. Over-inflation has the same
effect.• Use dedicated snow and ice tires if you
live in areas where snow and ice are certainties of winter driving.
Snow and ice tires have a softer tread compound and a unique tread
design to provide enhanced traction and road-gripping capabilities. • Install snow tires all the way around the vehicle, not just on the drive axle.• Keep
your gas tank at least half-full. The extra volume can help reduce
moisture problems within your fuel system. It also adds a margin of
safety should you become stopped or stranded during your trip.• Try
to remove ice and snow from your shoes before getting in your vehicle.
As they melt, they create moisture build-up, causing windows to fog on
the inside.• Scrape the ice and snow from every
window and the exterior rear view mirrors, not just a small patch on
the windshield. Don’t forget headlights and brake lights.• You
and your passengers should always use safety belts, both lap and
shoulder straps. Pull them snug to ensure they work properly.• Adjust headrests so that the back of the head rests squarely in the center of the headrest.
• Rear-end collisions are common in winter driving and a properly adjusted headrest can prevent, or reduce, neck injuries.• Turn
off your radio. Although your radio can provide helpful traffic
information, it can also be a distraction for some drivers. Remember,
driving is AS MUCH a mental skill as a physical skill.• Don’t
use a cellular phone. Even if you have a hands-free model, you need to
concentrate on driving, not on a telephone conversation, when driving
on ice or snow.• Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get stalled or have an accident.

• During
winter months, keep abreast of weather reports in your area. If snow or
ice is predicted, make plans to leave early or arrive later. An alarm
clock set to an earlier time can be a good friend in helping you avoid
difficulties.• If
you can move a night trip to daylight hours, do so. Not only is
visibility better, but if your vehicle is stalled, you are more likely
to receive prompt assistance during the daytime.• Before you shift into gear, plan the best route to your destination. Avoid hills, high congestion areas and bridges if possible.

If
you follow these tips, you will certainly have a better chance of
driving safely in your vehicle in winter conditions. And seriously, in
my opinion, EVERYONE should sign up for a class like this. Even if it
doesn't snow (like in California) you can apply safe driving techniques
to wet or slick roads in any weather. Lucky for you, Bridgestone offers
these classes! Go to www.winterdrive.com for more details!